Help! Pulled over, cop didn't care about plight

Anonymous

Hi ladies,
I don't know if I am being stupid about this, but I am reaching out to everyone for some help/support.

My son was scheduled to have surgery today (he is 2 years old and needed botox injected into his left leg and a wart removed from right foot). The doctors involved in this surgery have been terrible about communication from the frist day, and we were told we'd get a call right back this morning after I called to see if the doctors were on time. 9:20 rolled around, and I told my husband I had to LEAVE for my appointment!

I was already a nervous and emotional wreck about my baby boy going into surgery, then on top of that I was running late because of waiting for the phone call.

SIREN! The policeman pulled me over about a block away from the treatment center. You know how you can get nervous in situations like this. Without thinking, I unbuckled my seatbelt and was about to get out of the car! Then I realized how dumb that was, buckled my seatbelt and waited.

The officer came to my window and gruffly (and sharply) said, "First of all, you DON'T put your seatbelt on when the policeman stops you!" I instantly piped up about that one, and he backed off about that.

Then he tells me about how I was speeding. I respond (at first, calmly), about how I had been waiting for the phone call for my son's surgery and how I was on my way to radiation treatment for my breastcancer, and how I was going to be late as the treatment was scheduled in 5 minutes from that point!

I then burst into tears. Not simple little tears, but big fat wet tears.

I ask through sobs, "Do you have a kleenex?" He says, "No, I don't" and walks back to his motorcycle.

He comes back and says he is giving me a ticket.

Is there anyone out there that can help me with this? The wonderful lady at the radiation office called the sargent and yelled at him, and he said the only way the ticket could now be dismissed is if I showed up in court to plead my case.

The thing is, I can't afford to get a lawyer to fight a 75.00 ticket! I have already asked our church if we have any lawyers in the congregation, and we don't.

I think it would be great if everyone here could contact the newspaper and say how completely void of compassion this officer was. Perhaps a barrage of letters from my sisters will make the law enforcers here think twice about targeting someone like ME who is a church-going and law-abiding citizen!

Oh, and also, the lady at the radiation desk told me that there was just an article in the paper about how the profit from speeding tickets will be going to pay for something else in the city. The sargent also retaliated when she said how I've been through a LOT and am going through a LOT in the past year. When he did, she said, "You have to see this woman to know that I'm not just saying this to get her out of a ticket." What a true angel.

So, is there anyone out there that is a lawyer in central Illinois, or do you know of anyone who is that can help me for a vastly reduced fee?

The link for the paper is www.pjstar.com if you really do want to write a letter to the editor!
Since all I can read from the officer's name is "scribble scribble," his badge is 877, his division is 2171.
One last thing, Daniel (my son) is doing ok!
Love and prayers,
Debbie

djd

Debbie,

While it would have been *nice* of the cop to be more sympathetic, I don't think you'll get a lot of support - the cop has the law on his side.

Your best bet is to show up for the court date and either a) the cop won't show and your ticket will be dismissed, or
b) the judge will feel sorry for you and either dismiss it or reduce the fine (if you are pleading financial hardship)

good luck & hugs,

stacey2930

That a**hole I would first notify the news paper then I would fight the ticket in court!!!!! I would definately fight this one. My husband is a Lieutenant with the police department and he said the same thing!!!

jgrjunque

Forget the lawyer (and I am one!). Go to court. The cop may not show. The local prosecutor may dismiss the case anyway. If you do have to speak up for yourself, kKeep your cool, be very polite, do NOT attack the cop as a nasty SOB, just tell your story quietly to the judge and ask for consideration of the extentuating factors.

Anonymous

Hello dear sisters,
(for some reason, my long and well thought out post was just lost, so I hope I remembered everything I said originally)
I have some things to clarify about my original post. First, to Rhymee and those who have been apologetic about their stark but honest answers, please don't apologize. My best friend is honest with me, and I would want the same from you. I respect, trust and love you all for the wonderful women that you are.

Now, I need to clear some things up.
First, I WAS speeding. I fully admit that I did something wrong, and I apologize for not being more clear about that in my original post.
Along that topic, I was dismayed at the statement that I was "risking" my son's life. My son was not even in the car (something else I was not clear enough about). The reason I was speeding? There were two lanes merging into one (right after a traffic light). There was a car parked at the corner after the light, just before the merge. I got nervous when I saw the parked car, and sped up so I could make it into the other lane without crashing into the parked car or the car in the other lane. I was nervous. It happens.

That being said, I was also saddened by the implication that I am a reckless driver. I don't make a habit of speeding, and I was not driving in a crazy manner.
I also want to say I am sorry I mentioned church in my post. I was not trying to play the "God" card and say that since I am a Christian woman that I am immune to the trials of this world. When I said that, I was simply thinking of the fact that I was pulled over in the part of town where a speeding cancer mom is the simplest law-breaking to take place, and that area is full of terrible and ungodly acts. I felt that it was odd that I was the one to be singled out.
In addition to that, I am also sorry that I implied that my breast cancer diagnosis makes me immune to life's struggles. Goodness knows from my background that I am not immune to bad times. All I meant is that I was on my way to cancer treatment and worrying about my son.

I guess I am just foolish for thinking that people in this world could be a little more caring and a little more understanding about the hard and scary times that other humans are going through. Perhaps my church lulled me into a false sense of security as our family went through this past year's journey. They took complete care of us, and I came to believe that everyone in our world was that kind and loving. I guess it is not so.

Also, I want to clarify that my tears were simply tears, and not an attempt to work the system.
I know that everyone tells us as we go through the cancer journey how "strong" we are, but i think that today just got to be too much. I was feeling weak. I felt as though I had no control, and I didn't like that. I was scared for my sweet little boy. I cried out of fear and couldn't help myself.

Also, I know that I am to be accountable for my actions. I am a Mom, and intend on teaching my son the right behavior. What would I be teaching him if I merely tried to cry my way out of any and all punishment for my poor behavior.
I guess the thing that I really want to fight is the way I was treated. I did NOT DESERVE TO BE TREATED THAT WAY. I think it is that simple.

I just want to make it clear to everyone that I am not trying to squeak my way out of something the easy way.
Love and prayers,
Debbie

marla13

I have posted on your other threads...and sent you a PM.

Hugs!
Marla

WACindy

Hey there Debbie,

Boy you sure didn't need this right now. I agree with everyone else that I would go to court and tell the judge what you have posted here. You will probably still have to pay a fine but, hopefully, a much reduced one.

(((Hugs)))

Cindy

Shemp

While I can empathize with your predicament, you're unfortunately up a creek. You do not need a lawyer to contest the ticket. However, I'd still suggest showing up at court, explaining to the judge what happened (very concisely and without drama) and then ask for "court supervision." You'll still have to pay the ticket, but if stay clear of the cops for 6 months, the ticket will drop off your record and your insurance won't be affected. Ultimately, you were speeding, and there's no way out of that. The only thing else you could do is ask the state's attorney (before the court date) if you can plea down the ticket to a non-moving violation. I'd not take this to the paper or any other media outlet, you're not likely to garner much sympathy. Cops deal with liars and cheats everyday, and they have no idea how true your story is or how dire your predicament is, they only know you were speeding, and they're paid to enforce the traffic laws. Sorry you got caught, because heaven knows I'm no angel behind the wheel!